"The scene is healthy, but I'm not into labeling this and that. Quality music is quality music, it doesn't matter if it's from UK or US"
From working with the London Posse in the mid 80's, to his status today as record label owner and BBC Radio Presenter, Rodney P has grafted his way to a highly respectable position in the music industry.
In the early days he was supporting Mick Jones of The Clash and his band Big Audio Dynamite, as well as working with legendary film maker and DJ Don Letts. It was these foundations that have eventually seen Rodney P take the position as an ambassador of UK hip-hop.
He is in constant demand for collaborations and guest appearances, having previously worked with Roots Manuva, Blak Twang, Freq Nasty and Roni Size. Now with the release of his debut album "The Future", Rodney P looks to go from strength to strength...oh yeah just don't call it UK hip-hop!
What's your opinion on the British hip-hop scene at the minute?
"The scene is healthy, but I'm not into labeling this and that, it's bollocks. That's bollocks. Anyone who's like that doesn't have a clue! Quality music is quality music, it doesn't matter if it's from UK or US. It's bullshit, you don't judge music like that."
"One day it was like no-one was into UK hiphop, then people started getting into it, and then at some point it got nationalistic. We needed to show respect to the UK scene, but it's gone beyond that. People are like "I don't listen to..., I only listen to..." It's bullshit."
How did you feel about the tragic death of John Peel?
"Quite sad. I mean there's a lot of old radio DJs, classic DJ's who mean nothing. He did mean something. He will be missed! He pushed boundaries. A lot of people owe John Peel. I was lucky to meet him. The thing is, the way he was on his show and the way his show went, was him. He was so cool and approachable..."
Are you pleased with your new album The Future? How have those close to you reacted? Where do the ideas and advice come from?
"I'm happy with my album. My close friends like it, but I'm selfish with my music. If it don't work, I take the blame, if it does I take the credit. The ideas are my own, but my producer The C is like a backbone to my sound. He's a big part of my music."
The album has some nice reggae infusion, what reggae influences do you listen to, or acknowledge?
"Well there's the Bob Marley cover. I'm into old reggae, roots at the moment, the sort of stuff that is not dancehall. I like Bushman, Lucianno, Dennis Brown, old stuff like that."
You've worked with Beta Band member Steve Mason which sounds like an interesting collaboration, how did that work?
"It's amazing how many people have asked about it. For me it was just working with someone who is into music. Steve loves the music and I love music, we were working on the vibes."
Speaking of people you're worked with, do you still see the London Posse?
"I don't see the London Posse any more, not done anything for ages. There was no falling out or anything, we just went in different directions. Over the years I've seen them all, I saw Bionic recently. There was no jumping ship or anything, we just did different things. I was always a hiphop kid and I'm doing my take."
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